Liverpool claim Community Shield
It may be a meaningless friendly but the FA Community Shield gave the new season exactly what it needed - proof that Chelsea are beatable as Liverpool claimed a 2-1 win.
Jose Mourinho's team cruised to the title last season and then bought two of the world's best players with Roman Abramovich's billions. The rest of the league could be forgiven for thinking the new campaign will be a race for second place.
Peter Crouch changed all that with a back-post header 10 minutes from time at the Millennium Stadium. Craig Bellamy supplied the cross from the left and Crouch was unmarked as he bagged the winner.
John Arne Riise had fired the Reds in front in the ninth minute but Andriy Shevchenko levelled, just before half-time.
This was their eleventh meeting in little over two years and the games have been packed with controversy. The animosity was evident when Frank Lampard's temper snapped in the first half and he booted Boudewijn Zenden from behind. Lampard was lucky to escape with only a booking from Martin Atkinson because, although Zenden had the ball, the Chelsea midfielder did not seem to be aiming for it.
Michael Ballack was also booked when he wiped out Mohamed Sissoko with a late tackle on the touchline. Ballack, however, hobbled off midway through the half, holding an ice-pack to his hip. Salomon Kalou came on.
Riise fired Liverpool ahead in the ninth minute. He picked up a clearance from a Chelsea corner and sprinted from box to box without meeting a challenge. John Terry backed off and Riise unleashed a left-footer which dipped suddenly and beat Carlo Cudicini.
The scores were level when a Lampard pass found Shevchenko breaking clear of the Liverpool back-four. The Ukrainian showed the sort of finishing prowess you can buy for £30million.
He took the pass on his chest and coolly side-footed the ball past Jose Reina with his second touch. Up in the stands, Roman Abramovich punched the air in delight. His latest big-money investment certainly knows where the net is.
Crouch's late goal gave Benitez another win over Mourinho and tightened his psychological hold. He has beaten him in the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Community Shield. Now for the Premiership.
